Mounties Heffley, White sign to play baseball

Sage White (left) and Harrison Heffley, surrounded by family and coaches, sign Friday during a ceremony at Rogers High. White signed to play baseball for Harding and Heffley for Arkansas.
Sage White (left) and Harrison Heffley, surrounded by family and coaches, sign Friday during a ceremony at Rogers High. White signed to play baseball for Harding and Heffley for Arkansas.

ROGERS -- At the end of his junior season, Rogers High pitcher Harrison Heffley wasn't sure if he wanted to play to continue his baseball career after high school.

But the Mounties coaches urged Heffley to go to a camp this past summer at Arkansas. After an impressive effort, Heffley was offered a scholarship, and he made it official Friday when he signed a national letter of intent to play baseball for the Razorbacks.

Teammate Sage White also signed to play college baseball Friday when the Mounties outfielder inked his national letter of intent with Harding University.

The left-handed Heffley (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) has a 2.85 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 30 innings of work for the Mounties.

"This past summer, I played Legion baseball and my love for the game grew," Heffley said. "I was talking with a few other schools, but Arkansas wasn't even in the mix. But then I went to a camp late summer out of the blue and really didn't expect anything to come of it.

"But I threw well, and then in a few days, I went on a visit and I guess they liked what they saw. It is a dream come true, and it is still sinking in. I intend to make the most of it."

Heffley would like to remain a starter, but he said he will do whatever the Arkansas staff feels is best for the program.

"I feel I'll settle in as the game goes on," Heffley said. "But that is not my decision, and I will go wherever they want."

White saw extensive playing time as a freshman, and he will be a three-year starter when the 2016 season starts. White, who had foot surgery after being injured in a Rogers football game this fall, has a career .300 batting average and a .488 on-base percentage.

"I went down for a visit, and I really loved the coaching staff," White said. "I think they can not only make me a better player, but a better person. It is the place for me, and to have this decided going into the season takes a lot of stress off."

Mounties coach Matt Melson said he expects both of his players to have successful college careers.

"Sage is such a super kid and one of the smartest kids I have been around," Melson said. "Harrison really came on last year and over the summer. He has the potential to do some great things. Harrison misses a lot of barrels, and he has a high ceiling."

Sports on 11/14/2015

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